NBA notebook: Jazz to acquire Grizzlies' Conley

[June 20, 2019]  The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for guards Kyle Korver and Grayson Allen, forward Jae Crowder and two first-round picks, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.

According to multiple reports, the picks will be Utah's 23rd overall selection in Thursday's draft and a protected 2020 first-rounder, which would convey in 2020 or 2021 if it falls between picks 8 and 14, or as a lightly protected pick in 2022 (top six), 2023 (top three) or 2024 (top one).

The Athletic reports the Grizzlies, who also hold the second pick in Thursday's draft and are expected to take Murray State point guard Ja Morant, will listen to offers for the 23rd selection acquired from the Jazz.

The deal, which cannot be made official until July 6, ends Conley's tenure in Memphis after 12 seasons. The 31-year-old returned from an injury-plagued 2017-18 campaign to play in 70 games last season, averaging a career-high 21.1 points along with 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

--Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Khris Middleton opted out of the final year of his contract and will officially become an unrestricted free agent.

Middleton passes on a one-year, $13 million deal for 2019-2020, but he and the Bucks are still discussing a new five-year contract to keep him in Milwaukee, according to ESPN. Middleton can sign a max value contract for five years with Milwaukee; other teams can offer a four-year deal starting June 30.

Middleton, 27, had a career year averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, the latter two marks setting career highs.

--A relaxed Zion Williamson met with the media in New York, the day before he's expected to become the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft and the face of the New Orleans franchise.

And he made one thing clear: Don't compare him to NBA players who came before him. "I just look to be myself. I'm not trying to be nobody," Williamson said. "I'm just trying to be the first Zion."

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defnds during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis won 126-125. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

In his one season at Duke, Williamson averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33 games. He was the consensus National Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.

--The Miami Heat acquired the 44th overall pick in Thursday's draft from the Atlanta Hawks, in exchange for a 2024 conditional second-round pick and cash considerations.

The Heat were previously without a second-round pick, but they now add No. 44 to the 13th overall pick in the first round.

The Hawks still have four picks in the draft, two in each round: Nos. 8, 10, 35 and 41.

--The Hawks are expected to have new uniforms and an adjusted color scheme for the 2020-21 season, replacing the current look they adopted before the 2015-16 season.

Hawks owner Tony Ressler confirmed a uniform change on Atlanta radio station 92.9 The Game.

The current Hawks uniform features sharp angles and patterns plus new-age fonts in gray, neon yellow and dark red. A new color scheme has not been revealed, so it is unclear if the Hawks will return to their traditional red, white and gold.

--Field Level Media

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